Elements! Get yer element systems here!

[Frathe]

These are some element systems I came up with. Does anyone have any particular favorites? I'd appreciate a vote. Give your top two or three, if that's not too much to ask (I know there's a lot to read through). It might help me choose which one I try to use in a setting.
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Five-Element Cycle



Fire represents heat and light—positive energy.

Ice represents cold and storms—negative energy—and takes the place of Air in many systems.

Wood represents plants, the wild, and living things.

Water represents liquids and fast, sometimes violent, movement—the rivers and seas—and also the nourishing quality of fluids.

Earth represents stability and solidity, and the world below our feet.


Arrows indicate "beating" or domination.
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Tetrahedral arrangement of the four classical elements (fire, water, earth, air); each face is one of the main four, each edge (line between faces) is a secondary element that combines the two elements it's between, and each vertex (corner) is a combination of three elements, a tertiary element.

"+" indicates that an edge or vertex is between the given elements

Fire + Air = Lightning
Fire + Water = Alcohol
Earth + Fire = Sulfur
Earth + Air = Crystal
Water + Earth = Swamp
Water + Air = Cloud

Fire + Water + Air = Steam
Fire + Air + Earth = Sand
Earth + Fire + Water = Metal
Earth + Water + Air = Wood

Notice that the vertex Wood is across from Fire; Sand (desert) is across from Water; Metal is across from Air; and Steam is across from Earth. Each vertex (tertiary) element is opposed to the one element it does not contain.
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Opposed/allied planes, a la M:tG:

_____sky
fire_______ice
__earth water

The planes are arranged in a pentagon. Each plane (element) is opposed to the two across from it, and allied to the two next to it.
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Quasi-para-elemental planes

{table=head]|Smoke|Magma|Ooze|Ice
Positive Energy|Incense|Heat|Wood|Crystal
Negative Energy|Smog|Fume (Sulfur)|Rot|Slush[/table]

This idea has already been done more seriously here.
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Classical Element correspondences:

Familiars
fox(fire)
otter(water)
bat(air)
badger(earth)

Races
Angel(Air)
Djinn(Fire)
Siren(Water)
Human(Earth)
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Seven Elements
Notice that these use the same seven elements.

Domination
Fire -> Air -> Earth -> Lightning -> Metal -> Wood -> Water -> Fire

"->" means "beats"

This one was produced by a program my brother wrote.

Generation
Lightning -> Fire -> Earth -> Metal -> Water -> Wood -> Air -> Lightning
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Dual Dragons:
Each of the following dragons is of one element, but breathes another affiliated element.

{table=head]Main Element|Color|Breath Element
Earth|Brown|Fire (Volcano/magma)
Water|Blue-green|Steam
Metal|Silver/gray|Electricity (lightning)
Crystal|Transparent|Light
Sky/Night|Black with white dots (stars)|Darkness (negative energy)
Plant (wood/thorns)|Brown and green|Poison[/table]
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Energetic Elements:

combustion(star/fire/internal energy) > radiance(light/heat/external energy) > movement(water/wind/transforming energy) > conflict(friction/shadow/earth) > ignition(sparks/metal/seed) > combustion

">" = "produces"
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List of possible RPG "elements" (gets pretty weird near the end; some are jokes; it's more of a listing of subtypes than of elements, and even includes some fantasy races):

Spoiler

Show

fire
water
earth
air
ice
lightning
acid
poison
light
dark
metal
wood
sonic

spirit
holy
healing
disease
smoke
magma
stone
crystal
dryness
void
force
mana
psionic
illusion
fear
aether
mystery
moon
sea
brine
alkali
tree
grass
steam
hot spring
wind
sand
dust
chaos
order
ash
salt
sulfur
brimstone
quicksilver
mercury
gold
silver
copper
bronze
brass
iron
steel
mithril
adamantine
platinum
lead
radiation
clay
cold
heat
magnet

madness
wild
thunder
cloud
chemical(acid and alkali)
sun
star
night
day
knowledge
draining
destruction
creation
time
mirror
life
death

fire
magma
water
saltwater
swamp
ice(polar)
flying
burrowing
swimming
ice
stone
ghost
aberration
dragon
lycanthrope
bug
undead
fey
outsider
elemental
magic
animal
humanoid
goblinoid
reptilian
hybrid
giant
angel
demon
devil
djinn
evil
good
neutral
chaotic
lawful
sentient
construct
animated
golem
machine
unnatural
vampire
zombie
ghast
ghoul
shadow
swamp
god
immortal
mortal
elf
dwarf
gnome
human
centaur
plant
wood
grass
fungus
poison
venomous

robot
android
cyborg
mutant
cryptid

superpowered
ai (computer)
steam-powered
magepunk
clockwork
nanotech

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Six Realms-each pair across from each other is in opposition.

_______Radiance
Knowledge ____Nature
____Order_____Battle
_______Shadow

Symbols (going clockwise from top): Eight-pointed sunburst (formed by four crossed lines of equal length); curled leaf; flaming sword; tombstone with shadow extending behind; (mechanical) gear; open book
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Elements by optical properties
{table=head]|Orderly|Chaotic
Bright|Light|Fire
Dark|Stone|Earth
Transparent|Crystal|Air
Reflective|Metal|Water[/table]
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Another Dragon System

Format is Color-Breath

Good/Positive Energy:
Red-Fire
Blue-Steam
Gold (Yellow)-Lightning

Evil/Negative Energy:
Black-Necromantic (Draining) Energy
Green-Swamp/Acid
Purple-Ice/Cold
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Elemental blends by physical proximity

{table]Lightning|Smoke (Fire)|Air|Cloud (Water)|Ice
Light (Air)||Dust (Earth)||Mist (Air)
Fire|Ash (Water)||Steam (Fire)|Water
Magma (Earth)||Sand (Air)||Sea (Earth)
Metal|Stone (Fire)|Earth|Mud (Water)|Wood[/table]

Color indicates main elemental affiliation; element in parentheses indicates secondary influencing element. Elements in extreme corners are more metaphorical combinations of properties
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Seven Realms

In the Center is the "neutral" realm of the plains, where humans dwell. To the North is the Sea (Water); to the South are the Mountains (Earth/stone); to the East is the Desert (Fire); to the West is the Forest (Wood); Above is the Sky Air); and Below is the Underground (Earth/Darkness).
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[Byzantine]

Those are all really interesting systems. The two I enjoyed the most myself was the tertahedral and the optical properties. Though, to be fair, they make me want to play my hand at making a element system again myself.

[Frathe]

Thanks for your response! Don't let me drag you into this business; it's not worth the effort unless you enjoy it for its own sake.
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I added a new system of realms.

[TheWombatOfDoom]

I'm working on a 4 element system similar to the second one. However, wouldn't Fire+Air+Earth = Glass, not sand?

[Frathe]

I'm working on a 4 element system similar to the second one. However, wouldn't Fire+Air+Earth = Glass, not sand?

I can definitely see that. I was thinking of hot, wind-blown sand (made of earth) in a desert, though. And glass would slightly duplicate Crystal in function.

Edit: Hmm... I could justify switching Sand and Crystal, and having a subset of Crystal be Glass (so then Fire + Air + Earth would = Glass like you said, and Air + Earth would = Sand). That would probably make more sense, although I do like having Sand (representing dryness) be directly across from water.

[Byzantine]

Oh, I do enjoy it. I enjoy building things. That's why I homebrew and world build.

[Byzantine]

Let's see... using my setting as a base (since that's what I need it for at the moment anyway)...

We begin with four base elements and three energies. There are the classical elements (fire, water, earth and air) and the energies (Soul equals Positive, Abyss roughly equals Negative and Between is something that is both neither and seemingly impossible).

We begin with para-elements, the combination of two base elements. For this, I shall say that opposing elements cannot normally be mixed. However, other elements can. That in mind...

{table=head]|Air|Earth|Fire|Water

Air| - | - | Smoke | Ice

Earth| - | - | Magma | Mud/Ooze

Fire| Smoke | Magma | - | -

Water| Ice | Mud/Ooze | - | -[/table]

Now then, we have the quasi-elements, which is an element and an energy. We have three energies: Soul, Abyss and Between. Thus, there will be at least three quasi-elements to each element, for a total of 12. As a quick explanation, Soul and Abyss are not exactly Positive and Negative, despite that being their equivalent in the element system. They are more aptly Life/Magic and Chaos/Void. Between is neither, and don't make the mistake of thinking it's the midway between the two. It is order that not of this world. It is impossible by normal understanding.

For that reason, I shall separate it from the others. It is still technically a quasi-element, but it manifests differently.

{table=head]|Air|Earth|Fire|Water

Soul| Lightning | Metal/Gem/Mineral | Light/Radiance | Spirit

Abyss| Sound | Dust | Ash | Acid[/table]

While the para-elements remain unchanged, I have taken it to alter the quasi-elements. For the most part, the are the same, but now, they don't mimic opposing combinations as much. This will bring me to Between. This energy does two things that I've been thinking on: One, it facilitates 'impossible' combinations, like Fire/Water and Earth/Air. Two, it intensifies base elements to new heights. These 'hyper-elements' will be touched on first.

{table=head]|Between

Air| Æther

Earth| Crystal

Fire| Phlogiston/Plasma

Water| Fathom?[/table]

Right there, we have four brand new elements. Æther, inspired by the 'pure air' of Greek and Roman mythos, is pure oxygen, basically, the element of ozone. Crystal, a known quality of Between, completely takes over earth. Phlogiston/Plasma is beyond fire, it is the hottest flame's heat incarnate. Fathom is merely a working name, pure hydrogen which defies all logical behavior for liquids.

Now, the 'impossible' combinations. Between+Fire+Water to Wood and Between+Earth+Air to Time. Now, where did Time and Wood come from? Remember, impossible combinations. Note that Dust is already a quasi-element. And while technically Fire+Water would be Steam, in ancient times, it was believed that wood contained fire.

[Frathe]

Pretty cool. I was a little confused by Abyss + Air = Sound until I remembered that Abyss is Chaos too, not just Void. So that's not a problem.

Maybe Between energy could facilitate the even more impossible: the combination of all four elements into a coherent whole. Fire+Water+Air+Earth+Between=??(I'd say Life, but that's the domain of the Seat of Souls).

I'm not sure combinations of three + Between (where two would have to be opposing) would be worth bothering with.

[Byzantine]

THat's definitely possible, though I'm with you on not knowing what the heck it could possibly be called. The three+Between would be a bit much, and would start getting out of hand pretty fast. Though, I have considered Between+Abyss, Soul+Between, and Abyss+Soul. Gods forbid Between+Soul+Abyss.

[Frathe]

Between+Abyss+Soul=Universe?

[Byzantine]

Hm. Possibly, though, what would an universe elemental look like? And what could it do?

[Frathe]

It's... the deepest black, but dotted with stars, and it can warp space (pairs with the Time one).

[Byzantine]

.... Fair enough. Sounds like a gravity elemental from PF, so that could easily be used for universe. Not sure if I'll actually include it, but it's good to have these ideas sorted out now.

[Frathe]

Now a new one of my ideas, and a better thought-out one this time: a system that fuses the Greco-European concept of the four humours (as tied to the four elements) with the Hindu (and other) system of seven chakras.

(It's in the image)

Spoiler

Show

As you can see, there are four main chakras, corresponding to the humours and located at the brain, lungs, stomach, and groin, and then three intermediary chakras midway between the elemental ones.

[Byzantine]

Ooooh. That's interesting indeed.

[Frathe]

Here's another; it's mentioned in the OP, but not in much detail.



Fire represents heat and light—positive energy.

Ice represents cold and storms—negative energy—and takes the place of Air in many systems.

Wood represents plants, the wild, and living things.

Water represents liquids and fast, sometimes violent, movement—the rivers and seas—and also the nourishing quality of fluids.

Earth represents stability and solidity, and the world below our feet.


Arrows indicate "beating" or domination.

[Byzantine]

Aaah. The illustration really helps explain it.

[Frathe]

Aaah. The illustration really helps explain it.

Was hoping it would. I've replaced that one in the OP.

[Byzantine]

Changed Mercury (Soul+Water) to Spirit in my element system. After conversing with a worldbuilding friend of mine on YIM, we determined that mercury did not fit it quite as well as I originally hoped. Spirit, here, is thusly both the free-will of mortals as well as the power of change through growth.

[Tragak]

My personal favorite from anywhere: http://mimir.net/essays/planarphysics.html (Atomic Theory of the Elemental Planes). BTW, Byzantine, did you use this one as a starting point?

My favorite from the OP: definitely the tetrahedral!

[Octopusapult]

This reminds me of the 5 elements of Feng Shui (which are a personal favorite.)


Very similar to yours, except Ice is replaced with Metal.

Here's a link to Part III of an article on it at about.com

(I picked part III because it has a table reflecting the element interactions similar to the one in the OP. The links to part I and II are there as well though if anyone is interested.)

[Frathe]

This reminds me of the 5 elements of Feng Shui (which are a personal favorite.)


Very similar to yours, except Ice is replaced with Metal.

Here's a link to Part III of an article on it at about.com

(I picked part III because it has a table reflecting the element interactions similar to the one in the OP. The links to part I and II are there as well though if anyone is interested.)

I know all about the wu xing, trust me; they were a direct inspiration for that (I like them quite a bit too). There's another difference besides ice/metal, though: I have two destructive/dominating cycles, rather than one dominating cycle and one generating cycle.

[Byzantine]

My personal favorite from anywhere: http://mimir.net/essays/planarphysics.html (Atomic Theory of the Elemental Planes). BTW, Byzantine, did you use this one as a starting point?

My favorite from the OP: definitely the tetrahedral!

Ironically, no, I didn't. What's there is whole cloth created by myself. I do like the article, though. Definitely going to give it an in depth look-over.

[tbok1992]

I think you're all missing an element. Specifically HEART! Otherwise, how will we summon Captain Planet?!

[Frathe]

I think you're all missing an element. Specifically HEART! Otherwise, how will we summon Captain Planet?!

Well, Byzantine's does have Spirit. That's pretty similar. Besides, what kind of element is Heart, anyway?

[Octopusapult]

I think you're all missing an element. Specifically HEART! Otherwise, how will we summon Captain Planet?!

I might sig this...

[Orderic]

Here is a system I am currently working on.

There are several "Sources", representing the fundamental building blocks of everything. Each of these Sources has several aspects, dividing them into the actual stuff that makes up reality. However, I am far from finished and while all the Sources are fixed, some of the aspects still need some thought.

The Sources and aspects are:

Astral, the source of all creation.
Aspects: stars, creation, destruction, life, death, order and chaos

Aether, the source of all things material. While not everything that seems like it should be there can be found within the aspects, anything missing can be created my mixing or negating these aspects. Examples: Air+ore = sand, negated fire = cold
Aspects: fire, ore(metal, stone and gems), humus(earth and plants, a bit of life), water, air, force, soul

Mental, the source of all things... well, mental. Still working on the aspects.
Aspects: mind, instincts, perception, thoughts, soul,

Time, the source of... You know what, I'll stop saying this stuff until it makes sense to do so. I mean, it's time. What else is there to say?
Aspects: moment, past, future, now, chance,

Space
Aspects: room, distance, movement, point, light

Arcanum, the source... code of the world. At least that's what I call it. It contains all the rules by which everything else operates and anyone capable of manipulating it can locally rewrite these rules.
Aspects: the other sources, core of being (makes things what they are), potential, soul


Now a few clarifying words concerning the soul. While it is one of the four most important things about any living creature, it is nothing but glorified glue, keeping together the three things nescessary for life to exist: body (Aether), mind (Mental) and core of being (Arcanum).

[Frathe]

Welcome! It seems this has become the de facto "elements" thread.

Some comments are below.

Here is a system I am currently working on.

There are several "Sources", representing the fundamental building blocks of everything. Each of these Sources has several aspects, dividing them into the actual stuff that makes up reality. However, I am far from finished and while all the Sources are fixed, some of the aspects still need some thought.

The Sources and aspects are:

Astral, the source of all creation.
Aspects: stars, creation, destruction, life, death, order and chaos

If it's literally the source of "all creation", doesn't that overlap with aether (all material)? Material things are part of creation, right?

Aether, the source of all things material. While not everything that seems like it should be there can be found within the aspects, anything missing can be created my mixing or negating these aspects. Examples: Air+ore = sand, negated fire = cold
Aspects: fire, ore(metal, stone and gems), humus(earth and plants, a bit of life), water, air, force, soul

Force and soul don't really seem material, and later on you say a living being's soul or "core" is Arcanum.

Mental, the source of all things... well, mental. Still working on the aspects.
Aspects: mind, instincts, perception, thoughts, soul,

Time, the source of... You know what, I'll stop saying this stuff until it makes sense to do so. I mean, it's time. What else is there to say?
Aspects: moment, past, future, now, chance,

Space
Aspects: room, distance, movement, point, light

Light seems like it doesn't fit as well here. because stars (under Astral) emit it and because it's a type of force (under Aether as an aspect).

Arcanum, the source... code of the world. At least that's what I call it. It contains all the rules by which everything else operates and anyone capable of manipulating it can locally rewrite these rules.
Aspects: the other sources, core of being (makes things what they are), potential, soul


Now a few clarifying words concerning the soul. While it is one of the four most important things about any living creature, it is nothing but glorified glue, keeping together the three things nescessary for life to exist: body (Aether), mind (Mental) and core of being (Arcanum).

I like this part. It's my favorite part of the system so far. A question, though--if Arcanum is the soul, is it binding itself together as one of the three, or is that an oversight? Or is a creature's Arcanum separate from its soul?

[Orderic]

Thank you for your helpfull reply.

Now, concerning your comments:

Astral is supposed to be about how stuff came into existance or how it ceased to exist, as well as how it exists.

Force just seemed to fit here since it is all about physical forces. It also includes lightning. Although I am thinking about moving it to space.

Light... well, it's one of the things I am still not sure about. Although it doesn't feel right for me to just make it part of force. Light is far more insubstantial.

And perhaps I should have said a bit more about stars. In this system stars are giant balls of raw astral power and while many of them emit light, not all of them do.


This is perhaps the one thing that requires the most explanation.

Any living creature has three parts it is made of. First there is the aetherial part also known as body. It allows the creature to interact with the world. Then there is the mental part, known as the mind. It allows the creature to take independent action. Finally there is the Arcane part or core. This gives a creature purpose and meaning.
The soul connects all of these.
Without the soul, there would be a body without mind and purpose, a mind without body and purpose and a purpose without body and mind.

Of course, these are just names. Most of us would most likely consider the core to be the soul and call the soul something different.

Ah, and there is one thing about the core I forgot to mention. It is not just something for people or animals. Worlds have one as well.


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This Thread is quite interesting. I think the one system I like the mos is the one posted by Byzantine. Elemental systems where you can mix lots of elements to get even more were always a favourite of mine.

I have just one question... is it possible to combine use quasi-elements in combinations? For example, what would happen if spirit and magma were combined?

[Frathe]

Okay. It's just confusing when two different things are referred to as soul, even within your post.

Elemental systems where you can mix lots of elements to get even more were always a favourite of mine.

I'm a little disappointed you didn't like this one then. Complex mixing is the idea behind it.

{table]Lightning|Smoke (Fire)|Air|Cloud (Water)|Ice
Light (Air)||Dust (Earth)||Mist (Air)
Fire|Ash (Water)||Steam (Fire)|Water
Magma (Earth)||Sand (Air)||Sea (Earth)
Metal|Stone (Fire)|Earth|Mud (Water)|Wood[/table]

Or my tetrahedral system either. Ah well, we all have different tastes. Mine don't seem to really overlap with anyone on these forums (considering that my favorite of mine was probably the five in a cycle with wood and ice).